Therefore, once he spoke, no one else said another word. However, as they looked at Fang Zhou on the light screen, their expressions were tinged with concern.

...

In the forest, Fang Zhou looked down at the Demon Monster's corpse, feeling a surge of emotion. It was easy to imagine that without his luxurious Skill Combination, an ordinary Middle-rank Apprentice contestant could not possibly have dealt with this Corrosive Poison Snake Monster alone, especially given the huge difference in their ranks. Generally, only groups of three to five military academy cadets would team up to hunt an Upper-rank Apprentice Demon.

Unfortunately, this was a Simulation Battlefield. After the Corrosive Poison Snake Monster died, there would be no substantial loot rewards.

Fang Zhou took a short break before continuing forward under the cover of the Undead Sky Screen. The Dark Forest was teeming with Demons, and he never knew when a formidable enemy might appear. He had to ensure he was always in peak condition. If the fifty Skeletons weren't so conspicuous and difficult to conceal while on the move, he would have even maxed out his summoning slots before advancing.

After walking a little farther, Fang Zhou parted the branches hanging in mid-air, carefully avoiding the thorns that threatened to scratch his handsome face. Through the eyes of Pearl Bird Gugu circling high above, he noticed three unknown Demons rapidly approaching. Fang Zhou checked his map and observed their paths. Although their route was slightly different from his own, an encounter seemed unavoidable.

Fang Zhou pondered for a moment before signaling ten Skeletons to continue moving forward slowly, while he himself hung back, carefully concealed. This probing tactic—casting a stone to test the waters—proved effective.

In the distance, three Shadow-Devouring Spider Demons nimbly weaved through the dense forest. Their slender, agile bodies leaped between branches with astounding speed. They quickly spotted the approaching group of Undead. The eyes of the Shadow-Devouring Spider Demons flickered with an eerie light in the darkness. Clearly surprised by the sudden appearance of enemies, they did not retreat. Instead, they accelerated, preparing to attack.

Observing from the rear, Fang Zhou considered his options. He knew well that although the Shadow-Devouring Spider Demons were not as powerful as the Corrosive Poison Snake Monster, their numbers and speed posed a significant threat. In a direct confrontation, even with his Skeletons' help, he might not emerge unscathed.

Therefore, Fang Zhou decided to adopt a flanking strategy, using the terrain to his advantage to disperse and weaken their forces. He quickly issued orders, sending one group of Skeletons forward to draw the Spider Demons' attention while another group circled around to launch a surprise attack from the rear. Meanwhile, Fang Zhou himself hid in the shadow of a large tree, ready to unleash a deadly blow with a skill like Skeleton Flying Spear at any moment.

Fang Zhou held his breath and cast Soul Realm. This skill allowed him to covertly observe the three nearby Shadow-Devouring Spider Demons. Their upper bodies were humanoid, but their lower halves had the grotesque form of a giant spider. They were armed with longbows, clad in dark Leather Armor, and looked like Ghosts in the night. On the move, they swiftly took aim at Fang Zhou's ten Summoned Creatures.

Bowstrings twanged, the sound slicing through the forest air as several arrows shot toward the nearest Skeletons like meteors chasing the moon. In the chaotic wilderness, a preemptive strike was often the best choice when encountering an unfamiliar species, regardless of any past grudges.

The Skeletons struck by the arrows froze for a moment, as if a cold force was corroding their very bones. However, the Undead did not retreat. Instead, they launched a collective counterattack. They surged toward the three Shadow-Devouring Spider Demons like a tide. Despite the Skeletons' relatively weak Attributes, their sheer numbers plunged the Spider Demons into a difficult battle.

Upon seeing the feedback from his Soul Realm, Fang Zhou relaxed his guard. Although they look intimidating, these Spider Demons are merely elite Demons of the Middle-rank Apprentice level. Taking advantage of their distraction, he quietly emerged from behind the tree and raised his Undead Magic Ball high.

"Death Ripple!" Fang Zhou muttered.

At his command, the Magic Ball that coalesced at the tip of the Undead Magic Ball shot out like a meteor. It streaked across the sky and exploded directly above the Demons. Immediately after, a dense barrage of undead Energy Arrows cascaded from above, sweeping toward the three Shadow-Devouring Spider Demons.

The three Demons stared in terror at the distant ambusher—the Undead Mage—their expressions changing drastically. Surrounded by the Skeleton Army, they were as helpless as lambs to the slaughter. All they could do was watch as Fang Zhou raised his Crystal Ball, gathering immense Spiritual Power.

With a low shout from Fang Zhou, the Spider Demons were caught completely off guard. Their attention had been focused on the Skeletons in front, leaving them oblivious to the formidable enemy at their backs. A savage power washed over them, and an unprecedented fear gripped the Shadow-Devouring Spider Demons.

The Death Ripple descended, engulfing them in an instant. White smoke billowed from their smooth skin under the corrosive waves, and they let out hissing sounds as if being scorched by intense heat.

"ARGHH!"

The three Shadow-Devouring Spider Demons let out piercing screams that echoed endlessly through the air, as if they were suffering unimaginable torture. Engulfed by the torrent of Death Ripple, their life force flickered, threatening to extinguish at any moment.

The Skeletons charged forward, weapons in hand, and hacked down on the Demons in unison.

In that single exchange, the three Shadow-Devouring Spider Demons were effortlessly slaughtered by Fang Zhou's ambush.

Score +6!

Fang Zhou remained unfazed. He calmed his roiling Spirit and once again set off with his Summoned Creatures, heading deeper into the Dark Forest.

Tranquility returned to the dense woods, as if the battle had been nothing but an illusion. Fang Zhou moved between the ancient, weathered tree trunks with heightened caution, frequently casting Soul Realm to scan for any nearby Demons.

In the dim light, peculiar flowers and plants occasionally came into view. Their colors were strikingly vibrant in the dull surroundings, like jewels adorning the forest.

Suddenly, Pearl Bird Gugu spotted more Demons in the distance. Fang Zhou's gaze shifted, and he quickly pinpointed their location. He led the Skeletons forward slowly, counting the Demons in his mind.

1, 2... 6... 15, 16... 19!

When his count reached nineteen, Fang Zhou noticed the group of Demons had stopped about forty meters directly ahead of him.

Dense branches and shrubs blocked his line of sight. Unable to see clearly, Fang Zhou halted his troops and directed Pearl Bird Gugu to fly toward the Demon group. Under Fang Zhou's precise control, the bird carefully navigated around dry twigs and rotten wood, moving silently to avoid alerting the enemy. Pearl Bird Gugu's wings beat against the air, making almost no sound.

When it was about twenty meters away from the group, Fang Zhou could finally observe his targets through its eyes.

It was a squad of Centaurs!

They seemed to have been traveling for a long time and were now resting on the forest floor. The squad's hierarchy was clear at a glance. On the periphery sat the ordinary Centaur Warriors, who were slightly weaker. These were the main force of the tribe—all ordinary Demons of the Middle-rank Apprentice level. They were responsible for all the tribe's tedious work, such as hunting, gathering food, transporting supplies, and caring for the wounded.

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